Bixby Rotary Provides A+ Parade

In spite of Jack Frost’s nipping in the open air, parade fans started lining up on Dawes St. 45 minutes early, watching for the Bixby Rotary Christmas parade, “Joy to the World,” to make its way out of the dark and passed the judges’ stand.

Finally, there was a sound of drums in the distance. Is that a siren?

At last, the wait would be made worthwhile as lights of those first in line shone in the distance.

As the marchers passed, they saw bright faces looking out from closely-drawn hooded coats and cozily wrapped blankets. Some held cups of hot Dr. Pepper from Jim Brown of Doc’s Country Mart or hot bags of popcorn from the Shriner’s popcorn wagon, loving the heat as much as the treat. Reserve police officers watched the lines judiciously, keeping children safely behind the yellow tape. The crowd––the marchers––all seemed joyful as if the Grinch had just brought all the presents back to town.

Unlike many years, rain and snow remained inside the black clouds overhead as the crowd watched, one after another, the lighted floats pass by with music and cheers. Girl Scouts were out in great numbers, and the Salvation Army passed by with a red kettle as big as a car mounted on a wagon. Look! There’s the Chic-fil-A cow! The Adkar Shriners rode by in their spinning vehicles and on motorcycles, keeping things lively. Hurray! Hurray! Here comes the band, and the brass instruments are lit with Christmas lights.

As the parade ended, some headed off to City Hall for the annual Christmas open house, and Optimist Club members hurried to launch the annual Christmas party for foster children at Bixby Community Center.

Best in Float was awarded to Bixby Christian Church; best vehicle, Tulsa Steam Team; Most Spirited, Adkar Shriners; and Best Band, the Pride of Bixby High School Band.

Participants included: an escort by the Bixby Police Department; Bixby High School JMROTC; the Pride of Bixby Band; the grand marshal; Daily Family YMCA; ARC Roofing and Construction; Tulsa Steam Team; Bixby Christian Church; the Optimist Club of Bixby; National Quik Cash; Airl Radio; Dutton Travel, KOTV The News On 6; Girl Scouts; Powerhouse cheer n’ Stunts; Our Diamond Miss Pageant; Nathan Dahm for Congress; Burgraff Disaster Restoration; Bixby Community Outreach Center; Roofscapes of Oklahoma; Pack 41, Cub Scouts; Troop 117, Boy Scouts; the Salvation Army; Girl Scout Daisies Troop, 591; Adkar Shriners; Fran Moghaddam; Bixby Central Elementary; American Veterans Honor Guard, Inc.; CASTA Tractor Club; Chic-fil-A; Santa atop a Bixby fire truck followed by a police car.

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION. www.BixbyBulletin.com